Chapter 45: A Howler for Leon

Chapter 45: A Howler for Leon

After joining the Slytherin Quidditch team, George's life gradually settled into a routine.

Daily point-scoring, daily studying and researching magic, daily trips to the library to devour books and deepen his understanding of magic, and daily visits to various professors to seek guidance on spells.

As for Quidditch practice, thanks to his exceptional skills, Snape had granted him permission to attend less frequently.

Over time, his knowledge of magic and his spellcasting abilities grew rapidly. He had nearly mastered all the first-year spells and had already started delving into second-year material.

Two months flew by, and October arrived, bringing with it colder weather. Many young wizards caught colds as a result.

Fortunately, Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse, had brewed a Pepperup Potion. Drinking it caused steam to pour out of the drinker's ears for several hours, but it worked wonders, curing colds almost instantly.

George sat by the window in the library, quietly reading. Outside, a light drizzle fell, and inside, young witches occasionally glanced his way.

After months of Hogwarts' hearty meals, he was no longer the skinny boy he once was.

"Time's up. You can all head back now."

Madam Pince, the thin and elderly librarian, stood up and announced to the students still reading in the library.

George checked the time—it was already 8 PM, closing time for the library.

He borrowed the book he hadn't finished and left the library, planning to continue reading in the Slytherin common room.

Meanwhile, in the Marvel world, it was 8 AM. George's main body was riding his motorcycle to the Bronx.

Tony Stark had been kidnapped nearly three months ago and would likely escape soon. Over the same period, Leon had completely transformed the Chebel family into the Leon family.

So, it was time to set the previous plan into motion.

In truth, due to the car purchase and months of living expenses, Gabriela and Wolverine's savings were nearly depleted. George needed to make money, and the children urgently needed to attend school.

These lab-grown children had been raised as assassins, with no formal education or basic life skills.

Gabriela was just an ordinary nurse with limited education. Isa, the driver, had no academic qualifications and was still learning to fly a plane. Wolverine could teach combat and history, but that was about it.

Caliban had turned to the black market precisely because he lacked education.

The most well-rounded was Professor X, who had graduated from Harvard at 16 and attended Oxford and Columbia, earning multiple doctorates in biology, psychology, and other fields.

But his health was poor, requiring constant medication, and he spent most of his time in the Cerebro room to prevent sudden mental episodes.

On the rooftop of the Bronx dance hall, George placed an ordinary letter on the ground, then swiftly waved his hands to cast a spell. Once the magic was imprinted on the envelope, he picked it up and recorded his message.

Yes, he was creating a Howler.

His time in the library hadn't been wasted. Besides learning spells, he had also studied some alchemy—specifically, how to create magical objects.

Complex items like wands, broomsticks, magical cars, and Portkeys were beyond his current abilities, but simpler objects like Howlers were easy to master.

After finishing the Howler, he pinned a brooch to it and waited quietly on the rooftop.

About half an hour later, a smug Leon, cigar in mouth, emerged from the dance hall with a group of lackeys and climbed into a stretch Lincoln parked at the entrance.

At that moment, George activated his magnetic ability, sending the brooch and Howler flying from the rooftop. It slipped into the car just as the door was about to close.

Over the past few months, he had given it some thought. For someone like Leon, who operated in the underworld, caution was essential—at least until George's abilities were strong enough to ignore modern firearms.

So, if possible, he should avoid frequent contact and maintain an air of mystery.

The unknown was often the most terrifying.

This way, even if Leon faced threats in the future, as long as they weren't life-threatening, he wouldn't dare betray George.

To Leon, George was too mysterious. Betraying him could lead to unimaginable retaliation, making this approach safer.

"A letter?"

Leon was about to close the door when he noticed a letter slipping through the gap and landing on his lap. He was momentarily stunned.

But when he saw the name on the envelope, his pupils contracted. He quickly opened the door and peered outside.

"Sir, what's wrong?"

The driver, one of his lackeys, asked in confusion.

Leon glanced around, seeing only his men and no one else. He took a deep breath, sat back down, and ordered:

"Nothing. Get out and wait for me. I need some time alone in the car."

The driver, though puzzled, obediently stepped out.

Leon picked up the letter. On the envelope was a single word: "Reaper."

Over two months ago, he had nearly been killed, only to be saved by a mysterious figure called the "Reaper."

Now, he had cleared all obstacles, including the remnants of the Chebel family led by Chebel's son, and had fully transformed the Chebel family into the Leon family.

He had become one of the thirteen most powerful figures in the Bronx underworld.

But the "Reaper" had never reappeared, leaving Leon uneasy.

On one hand, he was genuinely grateful for the life-saving favor and wanted to repay it. On the other, he was deeply wary of someone who could so easily kill Chebel.

Because that meant the Reaper could just as easily kill him.

This was one reason he always traveled with a group of lackeys.

People were like that. When they were underlings, they didn't overthink things and weren't as afraid of death.

But once they became the boss, the one in power, they started overanalyzing and fearing death.

He picked up the envelope and carefully opened it, only to find it empty.

But the next second, his jaw dropped in shock.

The envelope suddenly flew out of his hand, floating in the air and transforming into a mouth that spoke:

"Leon, meet me on the rooftop at midnight. Come alone."

After delivering the message, the mouth bit itself into pieces and scattered.

It took Leon a full ten seconds to process what had just happened. He took a deep breath and muttered:

"What kind of being is this man?

A god? Or perhaps a demon from hell?"

Then he remembered the wish he had made on the rooftop just before his near-death experience and shuddered.

(End of Chapter)